July might be the best month for Netflix releases since I’ve started doing these pieces. The streaming giant is flooding its platform with hours of entertaining and thought-provoking content. Eighties time travel classic Back to the Future is dropping July 1st while Will Arnett’s anamorphic animated comedy BoJack Horseman debuts season three near the end of the month. Other debutantes include BBC America’s The Last Kingdom, indie hit The Invitation, and classic caper The Sting. This stellar combination of blockbusters, Oscar favorites, classic cinema and gripping TV will undoubtedly keep us happy in our cocoon of central air (hopefully) through this steamy summer month.

Here’s a few of our must-stream movies and shows coming to Netflix in June, and don’t forget to check out the complete list of new additions below!

Back to the Future (July 1)

Michael J. Fox shot to stardom as the precocious Marty McFly in Robert Zemeckis’ seminal time travel comedy. The film tracks McFly as he uses accidentally travels back to the fifties in a DeLorean DMC-12/time machine built by mad scientist Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd). Stuck in the fifties, Marty meets his high school aged parents and must play matchmaker while trying to return to the future in order to save Doc Brown’s life. He also finds time to “write” Johnny B. Goode. The 1985 blockbuster was the top grossing film of the year and spawned a franchise of sequels, merchandise, video games and, soon, a musical. Doc’s famous line, “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads” was even quoted by Ronald Reagan in his 1986 State of the Union Address.Over the years the film has been included on multiple “Best Of” lists and in 2007 it was selected by the Library of Congress to be preserved in the National Registry.

Beverly Hills Cop (July 1)

A year before Back to the Future, buddy cop comedy Beverly Hills Cop hit theaters and became a smash with both audiences and critics, eventually seizing the title of 1984’s highest grossing film. Eddie Murphy’s turn as the brash, ass kicking Axel Foley solidified the young star’s status as America’s preeminent comedic talent and turned him into an international superstar. The Oddcouple-esque chemistry between Murphy and Judge Reinhold drives the well paced narrative and the tactful blend of humor and action makes the film an exciting, enjoyable ride. If you ever asked why Eddie Murphy was once one of the world’s biggest stars, watch this movie.

Big Trouble in Little China (July 1)

Man, someone at Netflix must love the eighties. John Carpenter’s 1986 fantasy/action comedy satirizes the big budget action movies prevalent at the time in glorious fashion. Kurt Russell’s Jack Burton is an eighties John Wayne, strutting his way through peril with relish and good humor. Russell carries the film and renders it enjoyable despite the underwhelming special effects and cardboard characters. The movie plays up cheesy lines for big laughs and there’s nothing more entertaining than watching Russell shamelessly hamming it up for the camera. Despite a lukewarm reaction when released, time has been kind to Big Trouble in Little China and it has since become a cult classic.

Gladiator (July 1)

Are you not entertained? If you’re in the mood for a bloody sword and sandal epic look no further. Ridley Scott’s Gladiator suffers from a bloated narrative but powerhouse performances from Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix lend the film an emotional weight while the expertly choreographed battle sequences create an exhilarating viewing experience. Though the story isn’t the most reliable piece of history, its relatable emotional core and gory spectacle will placate even the biggest stickler for historical accuracy. Gladiator is a wonderful homage to the sword and sandal epics of old Hollywood, such as Spartacus and The Fall of the Roman Empire, updated with the gritty realism of the modern era.

Lethal Weapon (July 1)

In contrast to the gleefulness of Beverly Hills Cop, Lethal Weapon is a more intense entry into the buddy cop canon. Shane Black’s spec script is generally credited for influencing the creation of the idea of the “Great American Screenplay” and launched the scribe’s career. Superman director Richard Donner showcases his penchant for spectacle and Mel Gibson and Danny Glover shine within the odd couple archetype. While the action sequences can become a bit overblown, Riggs firing a gun while hanging from a highway sign springs to mind, the film has a surprisingly deep emotional core due to its exploration of Riggs’ deteriorating mental state. Due yourself a favor and read Black’s crackling screenplay before pressing play on this seminal actioner.

Mean Girls (July 1)

Tina Fey’s first, and only, feature writing credit is an incisive satire of the politics that govern suburban high school. The film’s mix of highbrow and lowbrow humor makes it appealing for a wide range of viewers while outstanding performances complement the relatable narrative. Lindsay Lohan showcases her undeniable talent and drives the narrative as new girl, Cady Heron. Rachel McAdams is deliciously sinister as Queen Bee Regina George. Lizzy Caplan’s portrayal of the insecure Janis Ian tugs at the heart strings while Amanda Seyfried, in her film debut, is hilarious as the dim witted Karen Smith. Supporting performances from Tim Meadows as the painfully awkward principal and Amy Poehler as Regina’s outrageous mom round out the cast. Mean Girls truly deserves a place in the pantheon of the best teen comedies.

The Sting (July 1)

Paul Newman and Robert Redford were one of the best on screen duos in Hollywood history and George Roy Hill’s The Sting is a testament to the brilliance of their partnership. Redford’s Johnny Hooker is a small town grifter from Joliet, Illinois who teams up with Newman’s Henry Gondorff, a seasoned con man, to take down New York crime boss Doyle Lonnegan after Lonnegan has Hooker’s partner murdered. The Sting is a classic caper with a story that flows like a babbling brooke. Redford and Newman turn their charm up to eleven and George Roy Hill’s direction results in a compelling caper. Once you press play, you won’t be able to turn it off.

The Big Short (July 6)

Adam McKay’s Oscar nominated deconstruction of the 2008 financial collapse highlights the pure absurdity of the sequence of events that led to one of the country’s darkest economic times. Steve Carell, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt, among others, offer spectacular performances while McKay and co-writer Charles Randolph craft a compelling and cohesive narrative from a series of storylines that never intersect. The Big Short is one of the better black comedies ever produced and the result is a film that makes you howl with laughter while leaving you emotionally devastating.

The Last Kingdom: Season 1 (July 9)

Bernard Cornwell is widely recognized as a giant in the world of historical fiction. His Sharpe novels, about a British soldier during the Napoleonic Wars, were adapted into a popular television series starring Sean Bean as the eponymous Sharpe. The Last Kingdom is the latest adaptation of Cornwell’s works, this time based on his book series The Saxon Stories, about Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a displaced tenth century nobleman seeking to reclaim his birthright amidst the wars between the Saxons and the Danes. The first season, a joint venture between BBC Two and BBC America, follows Uhtred as he is kidnapped and raised by the Danes and then struggles to reintegrate into Saxon society. Alexander Dreymon does well in his portrayal of the brash, and sometimes petulant, Uhtred and the rest of the cast excel in breathing life into the long dead giants of the period, such as King Alfred and the fearsome Danish warlord Ubba. Fans of Game of Thrones will enjoy the sword and shield action sequences and high stakes political drama.

BoJack Horseman: Season 3 (July 22)

The Netflix original series starring Will Arnett as an alcoholic horse striving to reignite his career drops its third season near the end of the month and I, for one, can’t wait. The conceit of a world populated by a variety of anthropomorphic animals opens up endless comedic avenues while the animation complements the tone perfectly. The show has a marked emotional depth and BoJack’s arc is quite satisfying. Aaron Paul, as a human slacker crashing on BoJack’s couch, and Amy Sedaris as Princess Carolyn, BoJack’s agent, round out the ensemble with strong performances.

Here is the full list of movies and TV shows coming to Netflix in April:

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